Photo by: Clinton “Buddy” Brown

cferganc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

The 2013 Maverick Classic kicked off last week as hundreds of cyclists and thousands of community members came out for the Second Annual Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference.

“The Maverick Classic is one of the fastest growing races,” staff member Sused Carbera said. “I think it’s putting such a low key sport out in public, and it brings people out.”

Cyclists faced off in a series of three races that, for the first time, occurred throughout the entirety of the Grand Valley. The event began early Friday morning with an 11.6-mile team trial through the rolling farm roads in Fruita. The collegiate competitors tackled the course first, followed by other community divisions.

Later that afternoon, a criterium was held in downtown Grand Junction. This is the second year the Maverick Classic has been brought downtown to draw a larger pool of spectators.

“We came downtown for lunch,” community member Bill Ward said. “We were excited to see that they were blocking off the streets and that there was going to be a crit. It’s a wonderful event, and it’s good to see that Colorado Mesa has a team out here. “

The event has been well received by Grand Valley community members, and spectators are drawn from all over Colorado.

“It’s a great community event. It involves everybody, and it’s the perfect atmosphere,” parent Chris Lofton said.

The stampede came to conclusion Sunday morning as the cyclists took off on a strenuous 20.5 ride from downtown Palisade around the Colorado River.

“They ride so many hours a week,” Carbera said. “They go for like six hours in one day. It’s a lot of dedication.”

That dedication was rewarded Sunday afternoon at the rewards ceremony. Results and other information regarding the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Cycling Conference can be found at  http://www.rmccc.org/.